The one-day course appeals to a number of people looking at entering the café business, or learning more about coffee and the art of espresso. There are also employment and travel opportunities that come with being a fully-trained and skilled barista.

“We also get a lot of small, independent restaurant and café owners inquiring and sending newly-hired staff to take our course, as it is often hard to dedicate the time and high cost required to train someone while keeping a busy café on the go,” says Spink.

“Because we are also an artisan roastery, I love how all of our students leave not just knowing how to make that perfect foam on a cappuccino, but every aspect of the coffee story from green bean to cup,” says Mew, who is the company’s head coffee roaster.

The course runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3904 Island Hwy S. in Royston. Cost is $110 which includes supplies, training, barista manual, certificate and a light lunch.

The 2015 BC Foodsafe Level 1 course will be held Sunday, Sept. 27, same time, same location. Cost is $120.

“The Coffee House Café is the perfect venue for participants to learn inside an actual working restaurant,” says Island Gourmet Trails owner and chef/teacher Gaetane Palardy, who brings hands-on experience and real-life examples to her teaching style and passion for the food service industry.

Register in person at the coffee house until 2 p.m. daily. Phone 250-871-8666 or email Spink at roystonroasting@gmail.com.